Southsea Food Festival delivers up some tasty treats

SMELLS of delicious food wafted through the air as hundreds turned out to taste local chefs’ cooking.

Southsea Food Festival was a big attraction as it showcased what the city’s restaurants can cook up.

SOUTHSEA FOOD FESTIVAL (BF) MRW 19/7/2014 ''The 2014 Southsea Food Festival held in the Southsea central shopping area attracted hundreds of people from all over the South of England 'Many tasted the wide variety of food and drink from all over the UK and many parts of the world as well ! ''Albert Choi still going strong with his popular Chez Choi restaurant in Osborne Road Southsea tests his own food ably assisted by (right) Gemma Liu (16) ''Picture: Malcolm Wells (142126-9984) PPP-140720-173845003

It was a double treat for food and drink lovers at the weekend as the Hampshire Farmers Market also took place in the streets there yesterday.

Sam Davies, 32, of Cosham, was with her fiancé Paul Marsh, 32, and their 12-month-old daughter Erin.

Sam said: ‘It’s quite a good family thing, she loves all the bright colours and smells – and we’re popping things in her mouth. We came to it last year and it’s really good. It’s local producers and fresh produce.’

SOUTHSEA FOOD FESTIVAL (BF) MRW 19/7/2014 ''The 2014 Southsea Food Festival held in the Southsea central shopping area attracted hundreds of people from all over the South of England 'Many tasted the wide variety of food and drink from all over the UK and many parts of the world as well ! ''New kids on the block ! - (left to right) Rachael Lee-Garrett (29) and Gianni Shipp (30) of the new Cipcolo Pizzeria in Osborne Road Southsea ''Picture: Malcolm Wells (142126-9960) PPP-140720-173833003

With the produce market and the festival, there was everything, from Chinese food to the Royal Navy’s own naval-themed chilli chutney.

Sisters Lucy and Kelly Hickman were serving up paella yesterday.

Kelly said: ‘It’s good fun, it’s nice to get a good sense of community.

‘People like having the paella and seeing it cooked.

‘We get a lot of people asking questions about cooking it themselves.’

Lucy added: ‘People love the paella and you get to talk to them – it’s a nice atmosphere.’

Cake-baker Rebecca Slight, of Beceries, in Stubbington Avenue, Portsmouth, was selling her products on the market.

She said: ‘We do it every year, it’s lovely. I cook all week and come to the farmers’ market at the weekend.’